Part Three
The night was warm with a soft breeze dancing among
the headstones as Buffy, Willow and Darien strolled
along, keeping an eye out for any of the nasty
creatures that went bump in the night. The two girls
were gossiping about various topics ranging from the
cute teacher's aid in their psychology class to what
Glory wanted in Sunnydale. Darien didn't pay too much
attention to their conversation as his eyes flickered
around their surroundings. A nagging had started in
the back of his head about the same time that the sun
set, and it was one he recognized all too well from
his younger days with Kevin: he was being watched.
Kevin use to watch him all the time, making
"scientific observations" and it use to drive Darien
crazy because often he couldn't spot where his brother
was watching him.
"Darien, you all right?" inquired Willow, snapping him
out of his musings.
The lanky vampire glanced down at her and smiled.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, absently rubbing the
back of his neck. "Just distracted." He snapped his
head around as a different tingling started at the
base of his neck and this one was more identifiable.
There were other vampires close by and some of them
were at least as old as Spike if not older. Buffy must
have felt them as well, because she dropped into a
fighting stance with a stake in one hand. Willow
looked around, a concerned expression on her face as
she drew closer to Darien with a stake appearing in
one hand and a vial of holy water in the other. Darien
flinched slightly when she accidentally brought the
vial close to him, and she smiled apologetically
before returning her gaze to the shadows around them.
Cool wood was pressed into his hand and Darien looked
down to find that Willow had slid her stake into his
hand and was retrieving another from Buffy's bag.
Suddenly, a wave of vampires emerged from the darkness
and crashed over them with howls of triumph.
Instinctively, Darien raised the stake in time to
impale the one vampire that lunged at him. Somehow, he
was able to tell that these vampires were just minions
and not that smart, but there were enough of them to
cause trouble.
He found himself back to back with Willow who was
slowly chanting under her breath, and desperately
tried to keep the vampires off both of them until she
finished whatever it was that she was casting. A
sudden wave of heat rolled out from her and several
vampires screamed before crumbling into dust.
Unfortunately, that seemed to inspire the rest of them
to fight harder, and Darien was getting desperate when
a vicious howl split the night seconds before a white
and black predator leaped into the fray.
"Spike," breathed Willow, relief evident in her voice
and Darien felt some of the tension ease from his
shoulders. He knew that his Grand-Sire would kill
anything that threatened his family and his witch, and
these minions were at the top of the list at the
moment.
< But where are the older vampires? > mused Darien,
frowning as he staked two more minions. < These guys
can't be out here without someone commanding them. Not
this many. > He caught sight of Spike and Buffy
moving through the remaining minions like the agents
of destruction that they appeared to be, and allowed
himself to breath a sigh of relief. It looked like
they might actually win this battle with few injuries.
As the last of the minions exploded in dust, Darien
looked around to take stock of the situation. Somehow
during the fight, Spike and Buffy had been drawn off
to one side, but it appeared that everyone was all
right save for a few bruises. Willow walked over to
Spike who instantly started checking her over for
injuries and Darien ran a hand through his hair,
grimacing at the feel of the dust that had covered
him.
A new sensation washed over Darien and he looked
around, trying to pinpoint the location of the
extremely powerful vampire that was drawing closer.
After a few moments of concentration, he discovered
that the vampire was approaching from the main gate of
the cemetery and he took a step in that direction,
unconsciously.
Just then, men erupted from the bushes and surrounded
Darien, each one bearing a cross in one hand and a
stake in the other as they slowly closed in around
him. One of the men, who appeared to be in his forties
and slightly graying, started chanting something in a
foreign language and a red glow briefly surrounded
Darien.
"Aw, crap!" he whispered, staring around him with wide
eyes. "Spike!" The name of the Master Vampire burst
from his lips as he instinctively sought the help of
his Grand-Sire. Dimly, he heard shouting as two of the
men managed to grab his arms and wrestle him to his
knees. The ring of crosses seemed to sap his strength,
but he struggled to break free from the men.
"And now, Child of Evil, return to the darkness from
whence you came!" intoned the man who had been
chanting, standing over Darien with a stake in his
hand. The men holding the lanky vampire twisted his
arms behind his back, forcing his chest out, and
Darien felt the quicksilver run over his body as gasps
echoed around the men. As the quicksilver cascaded
over him, Darien heard the men holding him cry out in
pain as the cold seared their skin, and Darien twisted
to one side, determined to break free. The world faded
to gray just as the man struck and searing agony
exploded in Darien's chest before darkness enveloped
him in its welcomed embrace.
********************************
Frowning, Angel quickened his pace as he felt a large
group of vampires converge on the Oakridge Cemetery
where he had tracked Buffy. As soon as the sun had
set, he had been in his car and breaking many laws
trying to get to Sunnydale before it was too late. Too
late for what, he wasn't sure, but there was this
urgency that drove him, forcing him to make the usual
two and a half hour drive from LA to Sunnydale in an
hour.
A new feeling intruded on his senses and he recognized
the protective fury that was radiating through the
bond he shared with his unruly bleached childe.
Judging by the rapidly diminishing feeling in the back
of his head, Angel decided that they had been foolish
enough to threaten someone that Spike had claimed as
his. Finally, all that was left in the area was the
senses that announced the presence of Spike, Buffy and
another vampire that was somehow familiar and yet he
knew he had never felt this vampire before.
"Spike!" The desperate cry spurred Angel into a run
and he rounded a crypt in time to watch Spike and
Buffy throw a group of men off of something on the
ground.
< No, someone, > corrected his demon as the smell of
blood teased his nose, and he felt Angelus's fury
increase at the recognition of that blood. < Order of
Aurelus, blood of our blood. Those that harmed what is
ours shall pay dearly! > Angel found himself agreeing
with his demon as he fell on the cluster of men,
tossing those foolish enough to get between him and
whomever was on the ground around like dolls, until
the smarter men fled into the night, taking their
fallen comrades with them. A pale fist swung at his
head, and Angel caught it, twisting it down until
Spike was pulled flush against his chest.
"You're getting sloppy, Spike," growled Angel in his
ear, tightening his grip on his childe's fist just
enough to warn Spike. "It's rude to hurt those that
have come to help you."
Ripping his fist free of Angel's grasp, Spike turned
on him, crystal blue eyes flaked with demonic gold.
"Sod off ya wanker," he snarled, tearing his eyes away
long enough to glance around. Angel glanced around to
spot Willow kneeling next to something on the grass
with a bloody stake in her hand and he carefully
approached her.
"Angel, thank the Goddess that you're here," she
stated, briefly glancing up at the dark vampire.
"Darien's been injured, but he went invisible before
he was stakes and I don't know how to coax him out of
it." Her hands were stretched out over what must be
Darien's body, but by the tremor in them, she wasn't
touching him.
A slight movement caught Angel's eye and he looked up
as Spike knelt a few feet across from Willow, gazing
down at the empty spot on the ground. His hand reached
out to hover just between Willow's and he smiled at
her as his hand moved up to where Angel assumed
Darien's face was.
"Sire's blood should help," he murmured, raising the
wrist at his side to his mouth and biting down to tear
through the pale skin to release the rich blood. As
Spike held the injured wrist out, Angel watched as the
crimson fluid dripped down to strike something before
sliding down the invisible surface, revealing a jaw
and the tip of an ear. A few more drops exposed the
corner of a mouth and then a full lower lip as the
blood slid into a slightly open mouth. Spike lowered
his wrist to just above Darien's mouth, allowing the
thick blood to spill past the jagged teeth before
there was a slight movement and Spike hissed in pain.
"Bloody hell! He's freezin'!" growled Spike, his teeth
gritted against the pain. A remark died on Angel's
lips as silver cracks raced over the still form before
flakes of mercury fell away to reveal a lanky vampire
with a bloodstained shirt stretched over his chest.
"We have to get him back to Giles's place or the
apartment," Willow announced as Spike pulled his
injured wrist away from Darien. "Any place that I can
tend to that injury."
Angel reached out to rest a calming hand on her
shoulder. "The mansion is closer and I have supplies
there," he offered his voice soft. Willow exchanged
looks with Spike before nodding in acceptance, and
Angel gathered the unmoving body in his arms before he
stood with Willow and Spike, the later who swayed
unsteadily on his feet.
Willow slipped an arm around his waist and he slung an
arm around her shoulders and he leaned against her,
the blood loss taking its toll on him. "You need
something to eat," she remarked, her voice soft. "I'm
sure Angel has something for you at the mansion." A
quick look at Angel, who nodded once, confirmed her
accusation, and she was trying to steer the stubborn
blond towards Crawford Street.
"I'll tell Giles what happened and send Bobby to meet
you at the mansion," announced Buffy, her voice hard
with a professional edge to it that made Angel flinch
slightly. He had hoped that she would not have a
problem with him showing up to help, but apparently,
that wasn't the case. Buffy turned on her heel and
marched out of the cemetery, her back ramrod straight
and her fists clenched at her sides. As always, Angel
felt a pang of misery for the trouble he had brought
to her life, but he shoved those feelings aside for
now. He had more important things to worry about right
now, such as the unmoving vampire in his arms.
Turning, Angel started through the tombstones with his
burden and heard the soft sounds of Willow and Spike
following.
The Sunnydale blindness was in full effect as the odd
group walked down the dimly lit streets towards the
richer side of town. A majority of the people out on
the streets were in too much of a hurry to get to
safety to worry about the two Master Vampires and
their companions, but he few people who did glance in
their direction quickly hurried away after glimpsing
the ridges that were still visible on Darien's face.
Within minutes, they had reached the mansion on
Crawford Street, and Angel lead Willow and Spike
through the sparsely furnished house to the second
floor, where he gently laid his burden on the bed,
delighted to see that the cleaning crew he hired had
done an excellent job. The dust and dirt that had
accumulated since his move to Los Angeles had been
scrubbed away and fresh sheets replaced the dingy
linens.
"There's a first aid kit in the bathroom down the
hall," Angel remarked, glancing at Willow. "Could you
get it for me, please?" Willow nodded as she placed
Spike in a nearby plush chair before scampering out of
the room. Angel carefully removed Darien's shoes,
placing them next to the bed, and turned his attention
back to the bloodstained shirt. There was no way he
would be able to remove it without risking further
injury to Darien, so he pulled a knife out of his coat
and tossed the leather across the back of another
chair. He could feel Spike's eyes drilling into the
back of his head as he carefully cut the shirt off of
Darien, peeling the soaked fabric back to expose the
pale, blood stained skin. Easing the fabric out from
under Darien, Angel dropped what was left of the shirt
in a nearby trashcan before shoving the knife back in
his coat pocket.
The tension in the air was almost palatable by the
time Willow returned with a first aid kit tucked
firmly under one arm while she easily balanced a bowl
of water and a washcloth in her hands. She tossed a
glare at Spike who only looked at her confused before
she placed the bowl on the nightstand. Angel murmured
a quiet "Thanks" before he dipped the cloth in the
warm water and gently washed the blood off of Darien's
chest. He repeated his actions several times until the
water was stained a dark pink and the angry wound was
visible for all to see. Quickly, he exchanged the
washcloth for the first aid kit and gently bandaged
the injury before easing the blanket over the still
unconscious vampire.
The sound of a door being flung open followed by the
pounding of feet herald the arrival of another vampire
that was connected to the dark vampire in a way.
Seconds later, a short, stocky vampire stumbled into
the room, his eyes darting about frantically until
they fell on the motionless figure on the bed.
"Darien?" the name was no more than a whisper as the
new arrival stumbled to the side of the bed to gaze
down at Darien.
Spike walked over and put a comforting hand on the
stocky vampire's shoulder. "He'll be fine, Bobby," he
soothed. "He's slipped into the Healing Sleep and
won't be awake until tomorrow night."
"What happened? Who injured him this badly?" growled
Bobby, whirling to face Spike with his eyes flashing
gold. The sudden movement took Spike by surprise and
he swayed on his feet as he hand was jerked from
Bobby's shoulder. Without thinking, Angel grabbed
Spike's shoulder to help keep the cocky vampire on his
feet.
"Why don't we discuss this downstairs in comfort?"
suggested Angel, ignoring the glare that Spike sent
his way as the younger vampire shrugged his hand off.
Angel gathered up the bowl of water and the washcloth
before leaving the room to dispose of them in the
bathroom. When he returned, he found Bobby sitting on
the edge of the bed, gently stroking the soft brown
hair with a look of almost tender care on his face.
With one last caress, Bobby left Darien's side to
follow the elder vampires out of the room.
When they arrived in the kitchen, Angel quickly
prepared food for the vampires as Spike sat down,
heavily, in a chair and Willow grabbed a Coke out of
the fridge. After placing a large glass in front of
Spike, Angel handed Bobby a mug before leaning back
against the counter, drinking his own mug.
"So are you going to tell me what happened to my
childe or do I start getting irritated?" A soft growl
underscored the threat, but Angel only raised an
amused eyebrow. The growl grew as Bobby rose from his
seat, obviously ready to start hurting people until he
got his answers.
"A large group of minions attacked us in the
cemetery," Willow began, staring straight at Bobby.
"Darien and I managed to hold our own until Spike
showed up to help Buffy finish them off. I went over
to make sure that they were okay when Darien suddenly
shouted for Spike. A group of humans had surrounded
him with crosses and he went invisible just as one of
them staked him. Angel arrived then, and after the
humans were run off, Spike gave Darien some of his
blood to bring him back to visibility." Her voice was
low and soothing as she related what had happened in
the cemetery.
Bobby grudgingly sat back down and grabbed his warm
mug. "So what's this Healing Sleep that he's in now?"
Angel spoke up, gazing at the stocky vampire. "When
we're severely injured, we go into this deep sleep
that allows our bodies to heal," he explained. "It
usually lasts about twenty-four hours and he'll wake
up hungry but healed." Some of the tension flowed out
of Bobby, and he quickly drained his mug before
pushing away from the table.
"I'm going to sit with him for a while," he announced
to no one in particular before leaving the kitchen.
The uncomfortable silence grew as Spike glared at a
spot on the wall, and Angel stared into the depths of
his empty mug. The dark vampire was unsure how to
breach the gap that had grown between him and his Most
Favored Childe, but he knew however he tried to talk
to Spike, his words would be met with ridicule and
sarcasm.
"ARG!! That's it!" cried Willow after several minutes
of silence. She stomped over to the surprised vampires
and grabbed an ear in each hand. "Come with me. NOW!"
Startled, Angel found himself, a 250-year-old Master
Vampire, being dragged through the mansion like a boy
whose mother caught him with his hand in the sweet
jar. He was only glad that the only other witnesses
were either being dragged along by HIS ear or was
doing the dragging. Finally, Willow kicked a partially
opened door back and shoved the two vampires into the
spatially furnished room.
"I don't care what you do, talk, fight, fuck,
whatever, just seal this chasm between you two,"
growled Willow, her eyes flashing dangerously. "The
only thing that you will NOT do is stake each other.
If you do, and even one of you survives, they will
envy the other by the time I get done with them. Do I
make myself clear?" When neither answered her, she
twisted the trapped flesh in her hands and snarled in
a voice that would have made a demon proud. "Do I make
myself clear?"
"Perfectly, luv." "Yes Willow." Their hands flew to
rub the recently abused flesh as she stormed out of
the room, slamming the door behind her. There was an
ominous click followed by a brief glow around the
doorframe and they were alone. Sighing, Angel looked
around the room that was obviously used in the past as
a study, but was now sparsely furnished with a couple
of chairs, a small table, and thick curtains over the
one window.
With a disgusted sigh, Spike threw himself into one of
the wing-backed chairs and lit a cigarette.
"Wonderful," he grumbled. "Instead of finding out
who's behind this little attack, I'm stuck in here
with Peaches."
Angel glared at Spike who deliberately blew a cloud of
smoke at the dark vampire.< The boy has been insolent
with us for far too long, > whispered Angelus,
seductively. <He needs to be put back in his place. >
With effort, Angel ignored the images that Angelus
tossed at him; memories of him and Spike doing
everything together.
"Must admit that Red will make a hell of a vampire,"
mused Spike, a smirk stretching across his face.
"Can't wait to turn her."
Those words sent a chill through Angel and he glared
at Spike. "You will NOT turn Willow," he growled,
clenching his hands. He could not allow his wayward
childe to extinguish the fire that burned in the young
girl. "I won't allow it."
Snorting, Spike rose to his feet and squared off
against the taller vampire. "Hate to tell ya this,
Peaches, but you have no say in it," drawled the
peroxide blond. "See, the only reason I haven't turned
her already is because she wanted to find a permanent
soul restoration before hand." He shrugged slightly.
"Now, with Darien and his new talent, I can go ahead
and turn her. And you have no say in it." A long white
finger poked Angel in the chest to emphasize the last
few words.
Angel grabbed Spike's wrist and squeezed it, feeling
bones grind against each other. "There is something I
can do about it, William," purred the darker vampire,
flecks of demonic gold coloring his eyes. "Or have you
forgotten what Rights of the Sire mean?" He could feel
Angelus straining at his cage, clamoring to be let
free to teach Spike a lesson, but he managed to keep
the demon locked away.
Before the dark vampire could say anything more, a
pale fist lashed out and connected with his jaw.